Pycroft unconcerned with defeats

Zimbabwe A coach Andy Pycroft has told Zimbabwe's Independent newspaper that he is not worried about losing the first `Test' against Bangladesh, and warned that he expects more of the same when the two sides meet again today.

"I am not surprised at all by the results," Pycroft explained to the newspaper. "The tour is about developing people, not winning games. Our objective is to develop players as quickly as possible."

He took heart from the second-innings performance after Zimbabwe A were skittled for 116 first time round. "We batted poorly in the first innings but we did quite well in the second innings," he said. "The partnership of 189 between [Stuart] Matsikenyeri and [Tafadzwa] Mufambisi was a good comeback after being bowled out for 116 in the first innings. We came back strongly to score 388 in the second innings. It's a big total. As long as we bat in the series like we did in the second innings, we will be competitive."

Pycroft was also keen to praise the bowlers. "Trevor Garwe 9who took 4 for 45) bowled well. Patiant Charumbira, Tinashe Chisoro and Timycen Maruma had never bowled for long spells but they adjusted. They were not used to these kind of conditions."

He admitted that unless his batsmen found a way of coping with Enamul Haque Jnr, who took 9 for 112 in the first match, then Zimbabwe would again struggle. "He bowls a lot of overs and wears out the batsmen. Our guys are not used to facing left-arm spin for long spells and he took advantage. We are working on how to counter him. The guys will get better and better."